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Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin is best known for the Natural Selection aka Theory of Evolution in his book "On the Origins of Species." The theory states that we evolve by adapting to survive in our environment or "survival of the fittest." Darwin caused a rift between the religious communities that claim we were made by god not this "monkey business." Darwin was arrested and taken to jail in Tennessee for teaching this theory to his students. -
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John Dewey
John Dewey was the leader of the Progressive Movement in education during the 20th century. Deweys method relied on tying curriculum in with the students lifestyle and full classroom participation which he described in "Democracy and Education." This method teaches students to discuss, reflect, analyse, and continue to want to learn more. Dewey had students struggle doing the process rather then reading and reciting it. Dewey uses gardening as an example of doing rather than just reading. -
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Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary Bethune is famous for moving children from slavery to education. Bethune was a philanthropist, civil rights activist, humanitarian and educator that played a key role in transitioning freed slaves into school to lift themselves from poverty. Bethune founded what is now Bethune-Cookman College in Florida, served on the Hoover Commission on Child Welfare, and served as an adviser to President Franklin D Roosevelt. -
Committee of Ten
In 1892 the National Education Association met with ten members to discuss the future of high school curriculum. The debate was over high schools preparing students for college or addressing students with multiple courses. The ten members ranged from high school Principals and Superintendents, and College Professors and Presidents. The group decided that alternatives should be offered rather than just Greek and Latin. This was significant in allowing arts and skills training in public education! -
What was education like?
Education in the early 1900s was superior for wealthy white males. The wealthy went to private schools with small classrooms, single gendered, and well certified educators. Public schools had larger numbers of students and more gender diversity but not race. African Americans were not able to attend the same schools with whites, nor did their schools receive equal funding. Most students dropped out of school at the 8th grade level to assist the household, work in factories or on farms. -
First Community College
Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illnois. J Stanley Brown the Superintendent of Joliet Township High School and William Rainey Harper President of University of Chicago wanted to created a 2 year program for students to stay at home. The program had 2 year occupational training that lead to employments opportunities or transfer programs to the bigger universities. This was instrumental in the transfer programs we have today!
[http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/history] -
Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching
The Carnegie Foundation was founded by Andrew Carnegie the steel industry business mogul that used his wealth to become a philanthropist. The foundation is a grant making foundation that donated towards the advancement of world peace, education, and knowledge. Since Carnegie's death the group has shifted it's focus towards "Scientific Management" which gives to organizations such as National Research Council, Bookings Institute, and National Bureau of Economic Research among other groups. -
Smith-Hughes Act
The Smith-Hughes Act was a bill that directed Federal funding toward secondary schools with vocational training. Senator Hoke Smith and Rep Dudley Hughes from Georgia were instrumental in passing the bill. Before this act schools taught latin and liberal arts causing many rural area children to drop out. This bill had little to no opposition from either political party and had the support from the education and labor unions! -
